FAQ Group: FAQ'a Oligoclonal

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune-mediated inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system that is a leading cause of disability in young adults. This can cause permanent damage to the peripheral and central nervous systems.

The test result is abnormal when oligoclonal bands are discovered in your cerebrospinal fluid and absent in your bloodstream. More than 90% of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients show oligoclonal IgG bands in CSF. However, they may also be found in Guillain-Barré syndrome, CNS infections (including neurosyphilis and HIV infection), after

Normal results are reported when no oligoclonal bands are found in your CSF.

If your physician suspects inflammation in your central nervous system, they will order a CSF oligoclonal band test.

3-5 CC Serum and CSF from the same patient must be collected at the same time and transported immediately to the laboratory.